Sec. 54.802. TEXAS SAVE AND MATCH PROGRAM. (a) The board, in cooperation with the program entity, shall administer the Texas Save and Match Program, under which money contributed to a savings trust account by an account owner under a higher education savings plan established under Subchapter G or paid by a purchaser under a prepaid tuition contract under Subchapter H on behalf of an eligible beneficiary may be matched with:

(1) contributions made by any person to the program entity for use in making additional savings trust account contributions under Subchapter G or in purchasing additional tuition units under prepaid tuition contracts under Subchapter H; or

(2) money appropriated by the legislature for the program to be used by the board to make additional savings trust account contributions under Subchapter G or to purchase additional tuition units under Subchapter H.

(b) In addition to the board's powers assigned under Subchapters F, G, and H, the board has the powers necessary or proper to carry out its duties under this subchapter, including the power to:

(1) sue and be sued;

(2) enter into contracts and other necessary instruments;

(3) enter into agreements or other transactions with the United States, state agencies, general academic teaching institutions, two-year institutions of higher education, and local governments;

(4) appear on its own behalf before governmental agencies;

(5) contract for necessary goods and services, including specifying in the contract duties to be performed by the provider of a good or service that are a part of or are in addition to the person's primary duties under the contract;

(6) engage the services of private consultants, actuaries, trustees, records administrators, managers, legal counsel, and auditors for administrative or technical assistance;

(7) solicit and accept gifts, grants, donations, loans, and other aid from any source or participate in any other manner in any government program to carry out this subchapter;

(8) impose administrative fees;

(9) contract with a person to market the program;

(10) purchase liability insurance covering the board and employees and agents of the board; and

(11) establish other policies, procedures, and eligibility criteria to implement this subchapter.

(c) Notwithstanding other law, for purposes of Subchapter I, Chapter 659, Government Code:

(1) the program entity is considered an eligible charitable organization entitled to participate in a state employee charitable campaign under Subchapter I, Chapter 659, Government Code; and

(2) a state employee is entitled to authorize a payroll deduction for contributions to the program entity as a charitable contribution under Section 659.132, Government Code.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1186 (H.B. 3708), Sec. 3, eff. June 17, 2011.